Sectional pipe scaffolding



Apr@ 2n, w36.. E. B. HEAR-fz @www SECTIONAL PIPE SCAFFOVLDING Filed sept. 24, 1954 2 Sheets-sheet l 'I 'r/f/ Syvum/vilo@ SECTIONAL PIPE SCAFFOLDING Filed Sept. 24, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet 2v Patented Apr. 2l, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2 Claims.

This invention relates to a portable scaffold structure, more particularly designed for use in cleaning, painting and repairing large high, ceilinged rooms in buildings, such as libraries, capitol buildings, museums, etc.

The principal object of the invention is to provide a series of scaffold members and fittings therefor, which can be quickly and easily set up in various combinations to suit buildings of various shapes, contours, sizes, etc.

A further object of the invention is to so construct the connecting devices or fittings that they will not allow the scaffold structure to collapse even though they may become accidentally l5 loosened.

A further object of the invention is to so design Y. the connecting members that but a minimum of different shaped parts will be required to obtain a maximum of different kinds of connections.

Other objects and advantages reside in the detail construction of the invention, which is designed for simplicity, economy, and eiciency. These will becomle more apparent from the following description.

In the following detailed description of the invention reference is had to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof. Like numerals refer to like parts in all views of the drawings and throughout the description.

In the drawings:-

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic elevation illustrating a vertical elevation of a typical set up of the improved scaffold.

Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic plan View of the set up of Fig. l.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of what will be herein designated as the angle fitting.

Fig. 4 is a similar View of the clamping cap'.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view illustrating the angle tting in a typical position.

Fig. 6 is a side view of the angle fitting attaching a single horizontal member to a vertical member.

Fig. '7 is a similar View of a connection between two horizontal members and a single vertical member.

Fig. 8 is a detail view of the joint between a horizontal member and the angle fitting.

The main scaffold members comprise a series of lengths of pipe or tubing. It is preferred to employ members of only three standard lengths, one as indicated at iii for the vertical standards, one at II for the horizontal members, and one at I2 for the diagonal members. It has been found that with these three lengths of members,

scaffolds may be constructed to Iit any structural conditions which may be encountered.

The vertical members I0 are connected together to any desired heighth by means of standard screw pipe couplings I3. The horizontal members 5" II carry at their extremities projections which may be formed by threading filli-ster headed screws I4 into them. The diagonal members I2 terminate in eye fittings I5 riveted thereon by means of a suitable rivet I6. The fittings I5 are 10 cast with a projecting eye plate I6.

In addition to the above described members, only three loose ttings are employed. These comprise a angle plate or angle tting I1 as shown in Fig. 3; a clamping cap I8, as shown in l5 Fig. 4, and an eye tting I9. With these fittings and members together with suitable clamp bolts 2U, any desired scaffold structure may be erected. If desired, the vertical lengths II may be rested at the bottom in flange fittings 2| to protect the floors, etc., although these are not absolutely necessary.

The angle fitting I 1 comprises two surfaces positioned at right angles to each other to form a horizontal and a vertical portion. The horizontal portion carries two enclosing ridges 22 in its upper surface, outlining a. cylindrical concavity for receivingY the extremity of a horizontal member II. A slotted hole 23 is formed in the bottom of the concavity for receiving the head of the screw I4. The outer face of the vertical portion also contains a cylindrical concavity 24 for partially enclosing a vertical member I0. The fitting is provided with suitable square bolt holes 25. 35

The cap plate I8 is provided with a similar cylindrical concavity 26, and similar square bolt holes 21. The eye litting I9 contains a similar concavity and similar bolt holes, and is provided with a projecting eye plate 28 through which a pivot bolt 29 may be passed.

In erecting a scalold, it is preferred to position the horizontal members II at regular elevations as shown in Fig. 1 along the length of the scaffold, and to position similar horizontal members I I 45 laterally of the scaffold midway between the first members I I. This arrangement gives two elevations for each space upon which the workmens planks, indicated at 30 may be placed. At frequent intervals7 the diagonal members I2 are placed so as to brace the entire structure against side sway.

In connecting a horizontal member I I to a vertical member IIJ, the end of the horizontal member is placed in the concavity between the ridges 22 with its screw I4 in the hole 23. One of the cap members I8 is then clamped against the extremity by means of the bolts 28. The vertical portion of the angle member can then be clamped to the Vertical member I 0 by means of another cap member I8, as shown in Fig. 6, or by means of another angle member as shown in Fig. 7. The latter is used where it is desired to continue the run of the horizontal members Il.

It will be noted that even though :the bolts 20 may become loosened, the members can not pull apart since the heads of the screws I4 will still be in engagement with the holes 23.

The diagonal lengths I2 are connected to the vertical members I0, as shown in Fig. 5, or to the horizontal members I I. In making this .connection, the two eye plates I6 and 28 are clamped together by means of the pivot vbolt 128, and the eye fitting I9 is clamped to the pipe member either by means of one of the cap members I8 on one of the Vangle members II. 'The spacing of the ibolt holes 21 is uniform in :all members so that any .two members may `be used together.

It is preferred to `use bolts of the carriage type, that is, bolts having a square sharrkimmedi- 4ately beneath the head. lThis square shank ts snugly into the square holes so as to hold the bolt from turning While `their nuts 3| are tightened.

In some installations, there may not be suiiicient room between the scaffold position, and the room wall to accommodate the standard length of the 'lateral horizontal members I.I. It is of course not desirable to ,cut ythese members -ito fit vparticular installations, and it is not necessary 'to cut them with the present invention, Such a situation is met, as shown in Fig. v2, by swinging the lateral horizontal members to one -side to reduce the Vwidth `of the scaffold to the desired amount. The fittings allow the members to 'be swung 4in any `direction to any desired angle Vbefore clamping them in place.

In Asome installations, cornices, balconies, etc., prevent the vertical members'from being extended entirely to the floor. In such installations, a bracket lmay be formed, as shown at the right of Fig. '1, so that the `weight of the unsupported extremity will be transmitted by means of the diagonal members I2 to the main structure. In fact, any desired shape, size, or form of scaiolding may be made with these simple members and fittings.

While .a specific form of the improvement has been described and illustrated herein, it is desired to be understood that the same may be varied, within the scope of the appended claims, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Having thus Ydescribed the invention, what is claimed and desired secured by Letters Patent -1. In a scaffold structure formed of horizontal and Vertical tubular members, means for securing the extremity yof a horizontal member to a vertical member :comprising: an angle plate; a horizontal portion on said angle plate; a vertical portion `on Asaid angle plate; a groove in the top of .said horizontal portion for receiving the extremity of a horizontal member, said vertical portion extending .upwardly from lthe g-rooved face of said 'horizontal portion so as lto extend past the horizontal member when in place therein; a grooved surface in the outer face of said lvertical portion for receiving a Ver-tical member; -means `for clamping said members -in 'place Von said grooved faces, there being an Vopening formed Vthrough said horizontal portion; anda xed projection for attachment to the -horizontal member, said projection extending into said opening to prevent longitudinal movement of said horizontal member on saidfgrooved surface.

2. A joint for connecting horizontal members to vertical members in a, scaffold structure comprising: two L-shaped plates; means for clamping vthe horizontal portions; means for clamping said caps against said `horizon-tal members; projections extending downwardly from said horizontal members; and engaging openings in said horizontal portions to prevent the horizontal `mem- 'fbers frombeing drawn vfrom beneath said caps.

EDWIN B. HEARTZ. 

